After my initial reaction of disgust specifically to the Melo pick I tried to recall my initial reactions to other notable 1st round picks. To put it into perspective I gave a grade to how pleased I was about the pick.
Pierce(10)-Absolutely thrilled and surprised. Till this day, the most elated I was over a Celtic draft pick. Would have gave it an 11 if I could. A player rumored to go #1 overall fell to #10 to us. I also was praying that we didn't select Dirk. Shows you how much I know.
Antoine Walker (10)-Another pick I was thrilled with. Hoping he was our pick and my prayers were answered. Saw him as a Magic Johnson type of player. Was torn between him and Kobe.
Chauncey Billups (7)-Pretty happy with this pick but still stinging that we didn't get Duncan or Van Horn
Ron Mercer 8-Liked this pick better than Billups but preferred Tracy McGrady instead.
Jerome Moiso (3)-Wanted Jake Tsakalidis...who?
Joe Johnson (9)-Liked this pick alot had no problem with it
Kedrick Brown (6)-Didn't know a thing about him but was intrigued with his athleticism.
Joseph Forte (5)-Wanted Gerald Wallace but was ok with the pick.
Marcus Banks 8-Thought he could be another Tim Hardaway. Ouch!
Kendrick Perkins (9)-Thought we got a steal.
Al Jefferson 8-Another pick I loved and hoping he'd slide to us.
Delonte West (5)-Wasn't crazy about the pick but really nobody else left at that point that I was excited about.
Tony Allen (7)-Great athlete and really liked this pick. This was Danny's best draft. Al we turned into KG, Delonte we used for Ray, and TA is now the premier perimeter defender in the NBA.
Gerald Green (10)-Thought we had a Paul Pierce type of steal and I remember counting #15, #16, #17 after each pick passed and then it was our turn and we got him. Yes!!! I remember thinking to myself that the Lakers were crazy to pass on drafting the next Tracy McGrady in Green for a 7 foot high schooler...of course his name was Andrew Bynum...just goes to show you.
Rajon Rondo (2)-Yes I was extremely disappointed that we drafted Rondo when Marcus Williams was still available. Williams was rated as the best PG in the draft, we needed one, and we selected a PG that couldn't shoot. Wow how I missed on this one. Rondo is arguably one of the best 5 players in the NBA, a legit MVP candidate and on his way to the Hall of Fame.
J.R. Giddens (5)-Didn't know much about him. Good athlete but a headcase. Didn't like anyone else who was available so the pick was just ok.
Avery Bradley (6)-Really liked the player considering he was rated higher than John Wall coming out of HS. I just questioned why we would draft another PG when we had a young star already playing the position. I also remembered thinking at the time that Ainge was either trading the pick or trading Rondo.
Jajuan Johnson (6)-Was pretty happy with the pick but a little disappointed that we traded Marshon Brooks.
Which leads me to...
Jared Sullinger (6)-Liked the player but didn't make sense especially considering PJ3 and Moultrie were still available. Thought that those two were more of a match running with Rondo and Avery. Wasn't too mad because we still had the next pick to use on PJ3 who could be used as a SF in certain situations (think Lamar Odom). Well then came pick #22...
Fab Melo (1)-Yes, the most disappointed I've ever been. Considering who was still left (PJ3, Moultrie, Wroten, Taylor). I would have been happy with anyone of those guys. I thought to myself, "Is this Danny's first step in the master rebuilding plan? A solid bench player in Sullinger and a journeyman 7 footer?"
As you can see I was thrilled with Pierce, Toine, and Gerald Green. They each got 10s. Perk and Joe Johnson got 9s
Reason for optimism: In 25 years of following the draft, the most disappointed I felt (prior to this year) was Rajon Rondo being our pick over Marcus Williams. If Rondo was my biggest disappointment then Fab Melo has a chance to be the next coming of Shaq. In all seriousness, we just don't know how things will pan out...or at least I have no clue.
Keep saying to myself "Trust in Danny, trust in Danny, trust in Danny" If I say it enough eventually I'll start believing it again.
Topic: Emotions about other DA picks (Read 1316 times)